Study: Arkansas Ranks 7th in Nation in Adult Obesity
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: September 18, 2012
Arkansas' obesity rate ranks among the highest in the country, and the problem is getting worse.
A new study from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) puts Arkansas seventh in the nation in obesity.
Just under 31 percent of Natural State residents are obese.
The study shows that if the current rates don't change, that number will nearly double by the year 2030, meaning higher rates of disease, and higher health care costs.
The CDC estimates that if Arkansans reduced their average body mass index by just 5 percent by 2030, the state would save more than $6 billion in health care costs.
Mississippi ranked number one on the list at 34.9 percent, while Colorado was ranked 51st with 20.7 percent of residents who are obese.
A new study from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) puts Arkansas seventh in the nation in obesity.
Just under 31 percent of Natural State residents are obese.
The study shows that if the current rates don't change, that number will nearly double by the year 2030, meaning higher rates of disease, and higher health care costs.
The CDC estimates that if Arkansans reduced their average body mass index by just 5 percent by 2030, the state would save more than $6 billion in health care costs.
Mississippi ranked number one on the list at 34.9 percent, while Colorado was ranked 51st with 20.7 percent of residents who are obese.
